Chapter 1557:

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Barry was so stunned that he couldn’t get a single word out. His chest heaved, and the words jammed in his throat until they finally spilled out in a rush. “Novalee, just think about it. Your family’s a complete mess, isn’t it? It’s always one problem after another. Ever since we got together, I’ve never asked you for a penny, and I’ve always stood up for you whenever my parents had something to say! After everything I’ve done, you still think I’m not serious about us?”

The moment the last word left his mouth, his entire body went still. It was as if he only realized how hurtful it sounded after hearing himself say it. His lips parted instinctively, ready to take it back, but the moment he met the look on Novalee’s face, the apology died on his tongue.

She looked at him quietly, and whatever warmth had lingered in her gaze disappeared without a trace. “So that’s how you’ve really felt all this time.”

“Novalee, that’s not what I meant.” Barry took a small step forward, desperate to explain.

𝖱o𝗆аnс𝘦 𝗇o𝘷e𝗹ѕ о𝗇 gа𝘭ո𝗼𝘃𝖾lѕ.𝖼𝗼m

“So if I told you I wanted to get married right now, would you do it? Even if your parents said no, would you stand in front of them and tell them it’s your life, your decision? Would you?” Novalee didn’t let him change the subject.

Barry’s shoulders went rigid. He instinctively looked away, only to force himself to meet her eyes a second later. “Why are we talking about this all of a sudden? Weren’t we discussing what happened yesterday?”

“Just answer me.” Novalee closed the distance by another step. “Would you? Could you stand up to them and tell them that, no matter what they think, you’re choosing me?”

Barry just stood there, the paper bag crumpling in his grasp while he wrestled with himself.

After what felt like forever, he lowered his head and said in a muffled voice, “Novalee, you know how things are. My parents paid for my apartment, my car. They’re the reason I’ve been able to settle down in Crolens. I can’t just ignore what they think. Just give me a little more time. Once my career’s more stable and I have a stronger footing at work, things will be different. So please don’t force me to make this choice right now, okay?”

Once upon a time, before the truth about her parents had come to light, his parents had welcomed their relationship with open arms. Back then, Barry had seemed just as unwavering.

But now?

His hesitation made it clear that he had let his parents’ opinions become his own. He had started weighing gains against losses, measuring their future against reality.

Novalee looked at the man standing before her. At his lowered head. At the indecision written all over his face. And all at once, she found the whole thing painfully ironic.

This was the man she had once loved. Yet now, he couldn’t even give her a simple promise without stuttering. All those grand declarations of responsibility, of protecting her, in the end, they were nothing more than words. He had never truly followed through on a single thing.

“Fine.” She slowly took a step back. “I won’t push you anymore.”

Barry’s head snapped up, hope flashing across his face.

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